Changed Tranny Fluid-now Tough Shifting

[Tadao]

Hello. I changed my Transmission fluid in the winter and as the Bentley suggested I used 80/90 GL4 transmission fluid. As soon as it was changed I noticed that it was harder to get into 2nd gear especially in cold weather. Once the car is warmed up the shifting is fine. I figure this shouldn't be happening since I used the fluid Bentley suggested. Any ideas what could be wrong???

Thanks,
Mark

[Bear]

What year and model, there are three different fluids depending on model and transmission.

[Tadao]

Originally posted by Bear@Jul 27 2005, 02:45 PM
What year and model, there are three different fluids depending on model and transmission.

[snapback]365528[/snapback]

Sorry I should've said. It's an '84 325e

Thanks for the reply.

Mark

[Bmw1990]

Too little, or too much fluid can cause erratic shifting.

I have also never heard of the fluid you used. I thought you just used dextron II or III depending on the model

[Scotsman]

dextron II and III are for automatic tranny's no? 80/90 gear oil are for standard trans and also diff in some cases. sorry though, my manuals only cover 89 - 93.

[Bmw1990]

You are probably right...my bad. Yea make sure you have the right amount of fluid.

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by Bmw1990@Jul 27 2005, 07:12 PM
You are probably right...my bad. Yea make sure you have the right amount of fluid.

[snapback]365613[/snapback]

as a general rule, always use ATF fluid in manual BMW transmissions. If you have a getrag 260 or 265 I know you are supposed to use ATF fluid.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Tadao+Jul 27 2005, 03:11 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tadao @ Jul 27 2005, 03:11 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Bear@Jul 27 2005, 02:45 PM
What year and model, there are three different fluids depending on model and transmission.

[snapback]365528[/snapback]

Sorry I should've said. It's an '84 325e

Thanks for the reply.

Mark

[snapback]365541[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

Here is what my service manual says:reference manual transmission fluid change:
1. Red label=DEXRON II
2. Green Label=Synthetic Gear Oil
3. No Label=API-GL-4 SAE 80- NON HYPOID GEAR LUBE OR SINGLE GRADE API SE OR SF HD ENGINE OIL

[Tadao]

Ok. I think I have a green label. I'll have to check. I have the non-hypoid 80/90 gear oil in there. Maybe I should go synthetic then. Is it doing major damage now if I have the wrong one in there? Does it need to be flushed or treated if I change it out?

Mark

[Bear]

I do not suspect long term damage. If you have the wrong fluid, just drain and refill with the correct stuff.

[Angelic0-]

LSA oil (usually used on Limited Slips) or ATF fluid will serve you right since it will make shifting easier

[M-technik-3]

Originally posted by nukeduster+Jul 28 2005, 11:50 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nukeduster @ Jul 28 2005, 11:50 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Bmw1990@Jul 27 2005, 07:12 PM
You are probably right...my bad.* Yea make sure you have the right amount of fluid.

[snapback]365613[/snapback]

as a general rule, always use ATF fluid in manual BMW transmissions. If you have a getrag 260 or 265 I know you are supposed to use ATF fluid.

[snapback]365722[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

What are you sniffing? ATF? That's for the power steering box and the automatic transmission. Please consult the manual before writing something like that.

[E30crazy]

Originally posted by M-technik-3+Jul 31 2005, 02:13 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(M-technik-3 @ Jul 31 2005, 02:13 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

as a general rule, always use ATF fluid in manual BMW transmissions. If you have a getrag 260 or 265 I know you are supposed to use ATF fluid.

[snapback]365722[/snapback]

What are you sniffing? ATF? That's for the power steering box and the automatic transmission. Please consult the manual before writing something like that.

[snapback]366412[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]


He is right, especially in areas with cold weather it is recommended that you use ATF in your manual transmision. Gear oil is too thick and will not allow you to shift your transmission in cold weather. The previous owner of my car was a tech a BMW dealership and put ATF in the manual tranny. We use it in the tranny on both our e30's.

[Angelic0-]

ATF - OR - LSA oil

they are both as thin

We use ATF on all gearboxes here in iceland due to cold weather..